# 4 The Jungle: E. Lake Moultrie Trail — Rated: Moderate, 4-6 Miles

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Summary: The Jungle is an enclosed tupelo swamp with an appearance like the famed Okefenokee Swamp of south Georgia, but on a much smaller scale. The waters are heavily grown with water lilies, lotus plants and various grasses. There are many options for exploration on this paddle.

Difficulty: Moderate. The lilies/vegetation can be overgrown and tough to push through, but well worth the effort.

Distance: 4 – 6 miles, roundtrip, opportunity for a lot more exploration.

Time: 2.5 hours, minimum

Crowds: Light. The Jungle is not navigable by larger motor boats.

Boat Type: Kayaks or canoes 10-feet or longer. Paddle boards are not recommended.

Put In / Take Out: Amos Lee Gourdine Boat Ramp, Russel Store Road, St. Stephen, SC 29479. GPS: 33.402138, -79.992848 or 33°24’07.7”N, 79°59’34.3”W

Fees/Permits: None

Current: Negligible, generally southwest direction

Tidal Influence: None

Precautions: You’ll stay close to the shoreline on this route and won’t have to cross any large bodies of water. Winds can intensify on Lake Moultrie resulting in waves/whitecaps. There are hundreds of tree stumps just inches below the water’s surface, particularly the closer you get to the entrance of The Jungle. These can flip a paddler if a boat gets wedged on top. Tip: these stumps can usually be seen with polarized sunglasses.